REPORT: Cochran could resign soon from U.S. Senate

POLITICO reports there are expectations by senators and aides that Mississippi's senior senator will give up leading the Appropriations Committee or resign from the Senate early next year.

Posted: Dec. 22, 2017 12:54 AM

Updated: Mar. 6, 2018 6:08 PM

Posted By: Craig Ford

WASHINGTON (WTVA) - A report says Mississippi's senior senator in Washington may soon be stepping down from office.

POLITICO says there are expectations by senators and aides that U.S. Senator Thad Cochran will either give up the chairmanship of the powerful Appropriations Committee or resign from the Senate early next year.

“The understanding is that he will leave after January 1,” a Republican senator who serves on the Appropriations Committee told the website. “That’s what most of us believe will happen.”

Cochran spokesman Chris Gallegos told POLITICO the senator has not made any statements about leaving office.

The 80-year-old Cochran won reelection in 2014 but has been dealing with health issues in recent months, such as a urinary tract infection and a non-melanoma lesion that required surgery.

If Cochran leaves, Governor Phil Bryant would appoint someone to serve until a special election is held.

That means Mississippi could have two U.S. Senate elections in 2018 since Senator Roger Wicker is already up for reelection that year anyway.